'In every particular, this refers to the objectives of the system of social care, not benefits for disability.'

Great blog on PIP proposals and its context 👇

Integration with health and social care is all to the good; it isn't a replacement for protecting people's finances

📣 The UK government has launched a consultation to overhaul social security support for disabled people.

But, it ignores levels of hardship and looks more like a cost cutting exercise than a plan to improve support.

This isn't right. Disabled people NEED dignified support. ⤵️

Sec of State says we should keep an open mind on claiming back disability-related costs based on receipts #PIP
You'd think the experience of claiming back childcare costs under UC would make the DWP wary of the logistical & financial mess this creates for ppl w/ very low incomes

If govt wants to make the case for reforming support for ppl w/ mental health conditions:
a) it can do that without belittling conditions or ppl affected
b) you still need to afford to eat & pay the bills - 1/2 of ppl referred to Trussell food banks report mental health problems

Brilliant piece by Sumi Rabindrakumar The Trussell Trust in Big Issue: absolutely nails the arguments against cuts, with clearcut evidence from The Health Foundation. We need reform.

bigissue.com/opinion/dwp-di…

“Most importantly, disabled people and people with health conditions must listen while our political leaders avoid or misrepresent the harsh realities they face.” Excellent piece by ⁦Sumi Rabindrakumar⁩ ⁦The Trussell Trust⁩ for ⁦Big Issue⁩ bigissue.com/opinion/dwp-di…

“As has been long pointed out – life costs more for disabled people.” 💷

Sumi Rabindrakumar head of policy The Trussell Trust (the UK's largest food bank network) argues the government is taking the wrong approach in trying to boost the economy. 📈

Read on. ⬇️
bigissue.com/opinion/dwp-di…

Delighted to be commissioned by Nuffield Foundation to prepare a data led overview of the current issues facing access to justice in E&W.

The review found *47 data* and *80 key evidence gaps* that impede our ability to improve our justice system. Justice Committee Sir Bob Neill KC (Hon) MP

Pretty extraordinary from Serco and its subsidiary, and lack of disclosure from MoJ...
None of the parties doing themselves any favours for trust in the delivery of wider govt contracts

Most promising part of the 'multibank' proposal is the advice + support, not the 'stuff'

Getting the right support at the right time is a key step towards a future without food banks - we need local + Mayoral leadership to make this a reality trusselltrust.org/what-we-do/res…

OK, actual Sadiq Khan manifesto definitely doesn't include a baby bank strategy! sadiq.london/manifesto/fore… Mentions some key levers to tackle soaring hardship: social housing, supporting money advice, good jobs. This is such a crucial issue - every party & candidate in every...1/2

Baby banks...sigh. Good to see candidates recognising the extreme hardship communities face - but we should be done with sticking plasters.
The next Mayor could be looking at cash-first local welfare, advice services, housing...so many other levers to be part of the solution.

📈 Government stats show disabled people were THREE TIMES more likely to have turned to a food bank last year, compared to non-disabled people.

Our social security system should be there to support disabled people to afford the essentials. 💚

But right now, it’s falling short.

100 times this👇

Reposting this as it’s got surprisingly little attention. The increase in numbers going cold and hungry is really very big.

This is “proper” data making proper comparisons across time.

Probably the most shocking thing we've published in my time at CitizensAdvice. Not an easy read.

Employers should never have this kind of power over workers. Hard to see how you avoid this kind of abuse while tying people's visas to employers not work.

theguardian.com/global-develop…